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Innerspace is a 1987 American science fiction comedy film directed by Joe Dante and produced by Michael Finnell . Steven Spielberg served as executive producer . It was inspired by the 1966 science fiction film Fantastic Voyage . It stars Dennis Quaid , Martin Short and Meg Ryan , with Robert Picardo and Kevin McCarthy , with music composed by Jerry Goldsmith . It earned $42 million in worldwide theatrical rentals and won an Oscar , the only film directed by Dante to do so.

• 3 Production
• 5.1 Box office
• 7 References
• 8 External links

In San Francisco, down-on-his-luck naval aviator Lt. Tuck Pendleton resigns his commission and volunteers for a secret miniaturization experiment. He is placed in a submersible pod and both are shrunk to microscopic size. They are transferred into a syringe to be injected into a rabbit, but the lab is attacked by a rival organization, led by scientist Dr. Margaret Canker, that plans to seize the experiment and steal the miniaturization technology.

Experiment supervisor Ozzie Wexler, knowing their intentions, escapes with the syringe. A chase ensues with one of Canker's henchmen, Mr. Igoe, which ends at a nearby shopping mall. After being shot, Ozzie injects Tuck and the pod into an unsuspecting Jack Putter, a hypochondriac Safeway grocery clerk, the first person he comes into contact with.

On regaining consciousness, Tuck is unaware of what has happened and believes he has been injected into the rabbit. After attempts to radio the lab are unsuccessful, he navigates the pod to the optic nerve and implants a camera so he is able to see what the "host" sees. Realizing he is inside a human, he makes contact by attaching another device to Jack's inner ear, enabling him to talk to Jack. He explains that the pod has only a few hours' supply of oxygen and needs his help in order to extract him by going back to the lab.

At the lab, the scientists explain to Tuck and Jack that the other group stole one of two computer chips that are vital to the process. Their mastermind is Victor Scrimshaw. His henchmen include Canker, Igoe, and "The Cowboy".

Jack contacts Tuck's estranged girlfriend, Lydia Maxwell, a reporter who has had dealings with The Cowboy. They learn that he plans to buy the computer chip from Scrimshaw. After locating and knocking him unconscious, Tuck uses the pod's equipment to control Jack's face muscles, altering his features so he looks like The Cowboy. Lydia and Jack, posing as The Cowboy, meet with Scrimshaw to steal the chip from him. However, as they are about to take possession of it, Jack's nervousness overrides the transformation of his face, exposing the scam. Igoe captures him and Lydia and takes them to their laboratory. While imprisoned, Jack and Lydia share a kiss, which, unknown to them, transfers Tuck into Lydia's body through their saliva. Once taken to the laboratory, the criminals shrink Igoe and inject him into Jack to locate Tuck, kill him, and obtain the other chip that is attached to the pod.

Once Igoe has been injected, Jack and Lydia escape, steal back the chip, and order everyone, including Scrimshaw and Canker, in the laboratory at gunpoint into the miniaturization device. However, not knowing how to operate it, they only manage to shrink everyone to half the original size. Tuck, now inside Lydia, finds a growing baby and realizes that she is pregnant with his child. By going to her eardrum and playing their song ( Sam Cooke 's " Cupid "), he is able to alert them what has happened. Jack and Lydia kiss again to transfer him back. They frantically drive back to the lab in order to enlarge him, not realizing that the shrunken Scrimshaw and Canker are hiding in the back seat. While they attempt to subdue Jack and Lydia, Igoe locates Tuck in Jack's esophagus and attacks him. Tuck disables Igoe's craft and he is killed after Tuck drops him into Jack's stomach.

Back at the lab, with only minutes of supplemental oxygen left in the pod, Jack follows Tuck's instructions to eject it from his lungs by making himself sneeze due to his hairspray allergy. Tuck and the pod are successfully enlarged, and he is reunited with Lydia and finally gets to meet Jack in person. The film ends at Tuck and Lydia's wedding, held at Wayfarers Chapel , where Tuck wears the chips from the experiment as cufflinks. When they climb into the limousine, it is revealed that The Cowboy is the driver and the shrunken Scrimshaw and Canker are hiding inside a suitcase in the trunk. Now confident and in control of his life, Jack recognizes The Cowboy and jumps into Tuck's vintage 1967 Mustang , pursuing the limousine to rescue the newlyweds.

• Dennis Quaid as Lt. Tuck Pendleton
• Martin Short as Jack Putter
• Meg Ryan as Lydia Maxwell
• Kevin McCarthy as Victor Scrimshaw
• Fiona Lewis as Dr. Margaret Canker
• Robert Picardo as The Cowboy
• Vernon Wells as Mr. Igoe
• Henry Gibson as Mr. Wormwood
• William Schallert as Dr. Greenbrush
• Wendy Schaal as Wendy
• Harold Sylvester as Pete Blanchard
• John Hora as Dr. Ozzie Wexler
• Orson Bean as Lydia's Editor
• Kevin Hooks as Duane Florney
• Dick Miller as Taxi Driver

Production [ ]

The film began as an original script by Chip Proser, who called it "basically a rip off of Fantastic Voyage . My idea was that the big guy was up and moving around and could react to what was going on inside." The script was optioned by Peter Guber at Warner Bros. in 1984. Guber offered the script to Joe Dante who turned it down. [3] Guber then had the script rewritten by Jeffrey Boam as a comedy. Boam says "The idea was kind of ridiculous, which was a person miniaturized and put into someone else's body. That's all I kept from the original script. They originally thought it might be Michael J. Fox inside Arnold Schwarzenegger 's body. I actually kept turning it down, and they were persistent and kept coming back to me." [4]

According to Dante, Boam "approached it ... from the concept of what would happen if we shrank Dean Martin down and injected him inside Jerry Lewis ." [5] Dante says that Steven Spielberg had become involved on the project as an executive producer and he may have been responsible for the comedy. [5] "It was such a goofy idea that there were no limits to it," said Boam. "I felt I could do anything, and so the script I wrote was very loony and far out there but everybody loved it. Dick Donner, Joe Dante, John Carpenter and even Steven Spielberg wanted to do it. So when Steven wanted to do it, Warners thought I was a God and any amount of money it would take to do the movie they would spend. Steve ultimately decided he only wanted to produce so Joe came along and really latched on to the idea." [4]

Quaid's role was originally envisioned to be played by an older actor but then they decided to make the character younger. [5] Dante recalled during filming scenes where Quaid and Short's characters interacted, "Dennis would be on the set in a booth, so the interaction was really happening. Dennis would hew to the script a little more than Marty. After you got a scene in the can, he'd beg for more takes, in the voice of Katharine Hepburn , which was hard to resist." [6]

Dante says Spielberg would "protect you from the studio and sometimes from the other producers. It was a very filmmaker-friendly atmosphere over there [at Amblin]. You got all the best equipment and all the best people and all the toys you wanted to play with. Plus you had somebody on your side who was also a filmmaker and they knew exactly what you were talking about when you had a problem or you had a question." [5]

"It's a dumb, stupid comedy, which is exactly what people need in the summertime," said Quaid. "It's very idiotic and I love it. We encounter every dumb, stupid cliché in the book. Leave your brain at home and you'll have a good time." [7]

Meg Ryan met Quaid on set and they later married. [5]

• 1988 Academy Award for Best Visual Effects , Won ( Bill George , Dennis Muren , Harley Jessup and Kenneth F. Smith )
• 1988 Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films : Best Director, Best Science Fiction Film, Best Special Effects, nominated

Reception [ ]

The film had a positive reception. [8] [9] As of August 2020 [update] , review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports that 82% of critics have given it a positive review based on 44 reviews, with an average rating of 6.75/10. The critics consensus reads: "A manic, overstuffed blend of sci-fi, comedy, and romance, Innerspace nonetheless charms, thanks to Martin Short's fine performance and the insistent zaniness of the plot." [10] On Metacritic , the film has a weighted average score of 66 out of 100 based on 15 critic reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews". [11]

Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film 3 stars out of 4, stating "Here is an absurd, unwieldy, overplotted movie that nevertheless is entertaining - and some of the fun comes from the way the plot keeps laying it on". Proser later said, "I never actually have been able to sit through it all at once. They don't pay me to watch this crap. Like H. L. Hughgly, I wear a mask to cash the check." Joe Dante later said the film "was a hit on video. It was one of the first big videos, and it was discovered on video, basically. Although audiences liked it in theaters—when I went, they were in stitches—the ad campaign was so terrible for that movie. It was just a giant thumb with a little tiny pod on it. You couldn't tell that it was a comedy—you couldn't tell anything—and it had a terrible title, because we could never figure out a better one. And the studio botched the selling of it. I mean, they liked the movie, and they tried to reissue it, even, with a different campaign, and it still bombed." [12]

"It's been looked back on as if it was some great success whereas, in fact, it was pretty much a disappointment in its day," he said. [5] Dante later called the film "probably the movie that I had made up to then that was the closest to my intention. As a result, I was very happy with it. When I look at it today I still think it's a tremendous amount of fun." [5]

Box office [ ]

The film grossed $25.9 million in the United States and Canada, [13] generating theatrical rentals of $14 million. Overseas, the film performed much better, earning rentals of $28 million for a worldwide total of $42 million. [2]

See also [ ]

• List of films featuring miniature people

References [ ]

• ↑ Harmetz, Aljean. " Summer Movies Set a Record ", September 9, 1987.  
• ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Foreign Vs. Domestic Rentals". Variety . January 11, 1989. p. 24.
• ↑ Lambie, Ryan (12 January 2017). The Underrated Brilliance of Joe Dante's Innerspace .
• ↑ 4.0 4.1 Ferrante, A. C. (1 May 2013). Exclusive Interview: The Last Crusade of Screenwriter Jeffrey Boam .
• ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 "Joe Dante Discusses Innerspace" . Cinema Retro .
• ↑ Kennyaug, Glenn. " Joe Dante: 'Gremlins' Director Reflects on His Biggest Hits ", August 3, 2016.  
• ↑ Template:Cite newspaper
• ↑ Benson, Sheila. " Movie Reviews : Taking In the Sights of Inner and Outer Junkets: Hilarious and Inventive Trip to 'Innerspace' ", 1987-07-01.  
• ↑ Corliss, Richard. " Cinema: A Funny, Fantastic Voyage INNERSPACE ", Time , 1987-07-13.  
• ↑ Innerspace (1987) .
• ↑ Innerspace Reviews . CBS Interactive .
• ↑ Lambie, Ryan. Joe Dante interview: The Hole, Gremins [ sic 3 and marketing Innerspace].
• ↑ Innerspace .

External links [ ]

• Template:Amg title

• {{{title}}} at Rotten Tomatoes

Template:Joe Dante

• 1 Civil War

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48 facts about the movie innerspace.

Written by Adelle Lennon

Modified & Updated: 04 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Sherman Smith

Are you ready for a mind-bending journey into the world of science fiction? Look no further, as we delve into the fascinating movie “Innerspace.” Released in 1987, this action-packed film takes us on an extraordinary adventure, intertwining elements of comedy, romance, and fantasy. Directed by Joe Dante and starring Dennis Quaid, Meg Ryan, and Martin Short, “Innerspace” captivated audiences with its unique and imaginative storyline. In this article, we will explore 48 intriguing facts about the movie, giving you an in-depth look at the behind-the-scenes anecdotes, the impressive special effects, and how this film became a cult classic over the years. So, fasten your seatbelts and get ready to shrink down to microscopic proportions as we embark on this exhilarating cinematic ride.

Key Takeaways:

• Innerspace, a 1987 film, takes audiences on a wild adventure inside the human body, blending comedy, sci-fi, and impressive visual effects to create a captivating and unique cinematic experience.
• The movie’s success, nominations, and cult following highlight its enduring appeal, making it a beloved classic that continues to delight audiences with its imaginative premise and stellar performances.

Innerspace was released in 1987.

This thrilling film made its debut on July 1, 1987, captivating audiences with its unique concept and captivating storyline.

It stars Dennis Quaid, Martin Short, and Meg Ryan.

Dennis Quaid plays Lt. Tuck Pendleton, a pilot who volunteers for an experimental miniaturization program. Martin Short portrays Jack Putter, a grocery store assistant who unexpectedly becomes Tuck’s host within his own body. Meg Ryan plays Lydia Maxwell, Jack’s love interest caught in the middle of the chaos.

The concept of miniaturization is central to the movie.

Innerspace takes the audience on a wild ride as Lt. Pendleton is injected into Jack’s body in a miniaturized form. The adventure balances humor, action, and exploration in a truly unique way.

John Landis was initially set to direct the film.

Originally, John Landis, known for films like “Blues Brothers” and “An American Werewolf in London,” was supposed to helm Innerspace. However, due to creative differences, Joe Dante took over the director’s chair.

The film received positive reviews and was a commercial success.

Innerspace was well-received by critics and moviegoers alike. Its innovative concept, combined with the stellar performances and impressive visual effects, contributed to its success at the box office.

Innerspace was nominated for two Academy Awards.

The movie received nominations for Best Visual Effects and Best Sound Editing at the 60th Academy Awards, recognizing the film’s technical achievements.

Some scenes from the film were shot in San Francisco.

The production took advantage of the stunning cityscape of San Francisco to capture several memorable scenes, adding a touch of realism to the story.

The film’s soundtrack was composed by Jerry Goldsmith.

Jerry Goldsmith, a legendary composer known for his work in films like “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” and “The Omen,” provided the captivating and energetic score for Innerspace.

Innerspace was inspired by the 1966 film “Fantastic Voyage.”

The concept of miniaturized people exploring the human body was popularized by “Fantastic Voyage.” Innerspace pays homage to the earlier film while putting a comedic spin on the idea.

Dennis Quaid trained with a U.S. Navy SEAL for his role.

To prepare for his role as a pilot, Dennis Quaid underwent intensive training with a U.S. Navy SEAL, ensuring authenticity in his portrayal.

The film features impressive visual effects.

Innerspace showcases groundbreaking visual effects for its time, skillfully executed to immerse audiences in the microscopic world within Jack’s body.

The tagline for Innerspace was “An Incredible Voyage.”

The tagline perfectly captures the excitement and wonder of the film’s premise, enticing audiences to embark on this extraordinary journey.

Rick Baker created the film’s creature effects.

The renowned special effects artist Rick Baker , known for his work on films like “An American Werewolf in London” and “Men in Black,” brought his expertise to create the amazing creature effects in Innerspace.

Innerspace was a collaboration between Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment and Warner Bros.

Amblin Entertainment, known for producing iconic films such as “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” and “Jurassic Park,” joined forces with Warner Bros. to bring Innerspace to life.

Martin Short’s role was initially offered to John Candy.

John Candy, a frequent collaborator with director Joe Dante, was initially considered for the role of Jack Putter. However, due to scheduling conflicts, the part went to Martin Short , who delivered a memorable performance.

Innerspace is a perfect blend of comedy, sci-fi, and adventure.

The film expertly combines humor, thrilling action sequences, and imaginative sci-fi concepts, ensuring a captivating and enjoyable viewing experience.

The screenplay was written by Jeffrey Boam.

Jeffrey Boam, known for his work on films like “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” and “Lethal Weapon 2,” crafted the engaging screenplay that brought Innerspace to life.

The film was a box office success.

Innerspace grossed over $25 million domestically, solidifying its position as a successful film during its theatrical run.

The movie shines a light on the complexities of human relationships.

Amidst the thrilling adventure, Innerspace also explores the personal dynamics and growth of its characters, highlighting the importance of connection and understanding.

The film features a memorable cameo by Robert Picardo.

Genre favorite Robert Picardo , known for his roles in “Star Trek: Voyager” and “Stargate SG-1,” appears in a hilarious cameo as The Cowboy in an unforgettable bar scene.

Innerspace was nominated for a Saturn Award.

The film received a nomination for Best Science Fiction Film at the Saturn Awards, further acknowledging its impact within the genre.

The movie was inspired by the concept of “inner space.”

Innerspace explores the notion of inner exploration and self-discovery, using the literal concept of miniaturization to symbolize the vast uncharted territory within ourselves.

Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber appears in the film.

Eagle-eyed Star Wars fans may notice that Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber can be seen hanging on the wall in Dr. Margaret Canker’s office, adding a fun Easter egg to the movie.

Innerspace has gained a cult following.

Over the years, Innerspace has garnered a dedicated fan base, appreciating its unique blend of comedy, adventure, and imaginative storytelling.

The film received praise for its comedic performances.

Dennis Quaid and Martin Short’s chemistry and comedic timing were widely applauded, bringing laughter and lightheartedness to the thrilling narrative.

The movie features impressive practical effects.

Innerspace relied heavily on practical effects to bring its unique world to life, showcasing the artistry and skill of the special effects team.

Innerspace explores the importance of personal growth.

Throughout the film, characters experience personal growth and transformation, emphasizing the significance of self-discovery and embracing new perspectives.

The film’s production took over a year to complete.

Innerspace’s intricate visual effects and meticulous attention to detail required an extensive production timeline, resulting in a visually stunning final product.

Innerspace was well-received by audiences worldwide.

The movie’s entertaining blend of comedy and science fiction resonated with viewers globally, contributing to its widespread popularity.

The film’s title refers to the exploration of inner space within the human body.

Innerspace serves as a metaphor for the uncharted territories within us, capturing both the physical and metaphorical journey taken by the characters.

Innerspace was nominated for a BAFTA Award.

The film received a nomination for Best Makeup and Hair at the BAFTA Awards, recognizing the skillful work of the makeup and hair artists involved in the production.

The movie showcases creative futuristic technology.

Innerspace presents an array of imaginative gadgets and inventions, showcasing a future where the boundaries of science and possibility are pushed to the limit.

The film explores the concept of overcoming fears.

As the adventure unfolds, the characters confront their deepest fears and find the strength to overcome them, delivering a powerful message of resilience and personal growth.

Innerspace received a Saturn Award for Best Visual Effects.

The film’s impressive visual effects earned it the coveted Saturn Award in 1988, recognizing the outstanding achievement in the realm of science fiction and fantasy.

The movie features an exciting bicycle chase scene.

One of the memorable action sequences in Innerspace involves a thrilling chase through the streets with Jack riding a bicycle, evading danger at every turn in miniature form.

Innerspace was inspired by the genre of B-movies.

Director Joe Dante’s love for B-movies and their imaginative storytelling heavily influenced the tone and spirit of Innerspace, creating a unique blend of humor and adventure.

The film pays tribute to classic 1950s science fiction.

Innerspace embraces the aesthetic and spirit of classic 1950s science fiction films, paying tribute to the genre that laid the foundation for many beloved sci-fi movies.

Innerspace explores themes of identity and purpose.

As Lt. Pendleton navigates the inner workings of Jack’s body, the characters grapple with questions of identity, purpose, and finding one’s place in the world.

The film features a memorable scene involving a helicopter.

Innerspace includes an intense aerial sequence where Lt. Pendleton, trapped within Jack’s body, commandeers a helicopter in a desperate attempt to escape capture.

Innerspace was a critical success.

The movie received positive reviews from critics, applauding its blend of comedy, adventure, and imaginative storytelling.

The film’s screenplay was coveted in Hollywood.

Jeffrey Boam’s screenplay for Innerspace was highly sought after in Hollywood, reflecting the industry’s recognition of its unique and captivating premise.

Innerspace was released during the summer blockbuster season.

The film’s July release strategically positioned it among the summer blockbusters, attracting a wide audience seeking thrilling and entertaining cinema experiences.

The movie explores the wonders of the human body.

Innerspace takes viewers on a fantastic voyage, showcasing the intricacies and marvels of the human body, immersing us in a world never seen before.

Innerspace was a technological achievement.

The film pushed the boundaries of visual effects and showcased the advancements in filmmaking technology, creating a never-before-seen cinematic experience.

The film addresses ethical concerns related to scientific advancements.

Innerspace raises ethical questions about the consequences of tampering with the human body and the responsibility that comes with pushing scientific boundaries.

Innerspace holds a special place in the hearts of ’80s movie enthusiasts.

The film captures the spirit of 1980s cinema, providing a dose of nostalgic delight for those who grew up during that era.

The movie showcases Dennis Quaid’s comedic talents.

Dennis Quaid’s performance in Innerspace allowed him to showcase his comedic range, earning him praise for his ability to balance humor with the demands of the action-packed storyline.

Innerspace remains a beloved classic.

Decades after its release, Innerspace continues to captivate audiences with its imaginative premise, stellar performances, and charismatic blend of adventure and comedy.

There you have it – the 48 facts about the movie Innerspace! This cult classic stands as a testament to the creativity and skill of the filmmakers involved. Whether you’re discovering it for the first time or revisiting it, Innerspace is sure to take you on an unforgettable journey into the depths of the human body.

Innerspace is a thrilling and innovative movie that captured audiences with its unique storyline, incredible special effects, and impressive performances. With 48 fascinating facts uncovered, we delve deeper into the making of this cult classic.From behind-the-scenes secrets to remarkable trivia, we discovered how Innerspace pushed the boundaries of science fiction filmmaking. It showcased the talent of the cast, including Dennis Quaid, Martin Short, and Meg Ryan, who brought their characters to life with humor and depth. The groundbreaking visual effects used to depict the miniaturized world inside the human body impressed both critics and audiences alike.Innerspace remains a beloved film for its ability to blend humor, action, and science fiction seamlessly. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering it for the first time, these facts offer a deeper understanding and appreciation of this timeless movie.

Q: Who directed the movie Innerspace?

A: Innerspace was directed by Joe Dante, known for his work on movies like Gremlins and The ‘Burbs.

Q: When was Innerspace released?

A: Innerspace was released on July 1, 1987.

Q: What is the plot of Innerspace?

A: Innerspace follows the story of a naval pilot who is miniaturized and injected into the body of a hypochondriac to help him escape from dangerous villains.

Q: Who starred in Innerspace?

A: The main cast of Innerspace includes Dennis Quaid, Martin Short, and Meg Ryan.

Q: Did Innerspace receive any awards or nominations?

A: Yes, Innerspace was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects in 1988.

Q: What were some of the groundbreaking special effects used in Innerspace?

A: Innerspace utilized groundbreaking miniaturized sets, animatronics, and a mix of practical and digital effects to create the immersive world inside the human body.

Q: Is Innerspace considered a cult classic?

A: Yes, Innerspace has gained a cult following over the years due to its unique concept, humor, and memorable performances.

Q: Where was Innerspace filmed?

A: Innerspace was primarily filmed in various locations in Los Angeles, California.

Q: Did Innerspace inspire any other movies or TV shows?

A: Innerspace is often cited as an inspiration for later films and TV shows that explore the concept of miniaturization, such as The Fantastic Voyage and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.

Q: Can I stream Innerspace online?

A: Innerspace is available for streaming on various platforms, such as Amazon Prime Video and iTunes.

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The Underrated Brilliance of Joe Dante’s Innerspace

Innerspace didn't do massive business in the '80s, but Joe Dante's sci-fi comedy is an underrated classic in its own right.

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Innerspace should’ve been a contender. Released in the summer of 1987, it appeared to have everything going for it: Steven Spielberg on the poster, the guy who made Gremlins as director, and a fun concept which involved miniaturization, an ex-pilot, and a hypochondriac. Yet when Innerspace made its theatrical debut on July 1, it was met with surprising indifference. American audiences, it seemed, were more drawn to the comedy Adventures in Babysitting , released that very same day.

In 2010, we spoke to director Joe Dante about Innerspace ‘ s fate, and he still seemed frustrated about the way its release was handled back in ’87. “The ad campaign was so terrible for that movie,” Dante confided. “It was just a giant thumb with a little tiny pod on it. You couldn’t tell that it was a comedy – you couldn’t tell anything–and it had a terrible title, because we could never figure out a better one.”

It’s certainly true that the poster of the massive digits and the tiny pods doesn’t particularly help sell Innerspace’s concept. But then again, it was going to be a tricky sell from the very beginning. Whereas earlier Dante movies could conceivably fit their story ideas into a single logline: piranhas attack teens ( Piranha ); monsters attack a cute all-American town ( Gremlins ); kids build space rocket ( Explorers );  Innerspace is far more complicated and zany. In an interview with a French TV station at the time of the movie’s release, the best Dante could do was, “It’s the one about the guy who gets small and goes inside the other guy,” which doesn’t exactly sound like the obvious basis for a family movie.

Yet that’s exactly what Innerspace is: a (largely) family-friendly sci-fi comedy told in Dante’s typically manic style. Indeed, Dante originally signed on to the project with the stated aim of making a broad, commercial movie; his previous film, Explorers , had sunk without trace, largely because it came out on the same day as Bob Geldof’s Live Aid concert. Producer Peter Guber came to Dante with the concept of an adventure movie about a hero who’s shrunk down and winds up inside another person’s body. Dante was initially reluctant to pursue the idea, since it sounded so much like the 1966 movie Fantastic Voyage . Guber then came up with a subtle twist: What if it was a comedy where the straight guy winds up inside the body of the comic relief? Or, as Dante described it years later, “What if Dean Martin was shrunk down and put inside Jerry Lewis?”

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To see how much Innerspace changed during its development, you only have to skim through the first draft, written by Chip Proser in 1984, and the major rewrite penned by Jeffrey Boam one year later. While some of the major elements are in place–the pilot (here named Al), and an incursion that sees the pilot in his miniaturized pod accidentally injected into another guy–the tone is entirely different. Boam, who’d previously written the superb adapted screenplay for David Cronenberg’s The Dead Zone , spends far more time rounding out his two lead characters. The rather anonymous Al and Joe of the first draft become Tuck Pendleton, a boozy test pilot, and Jack Putter, a permanently anxious supermarket clerk.

Watch Innerspace on Amazon

Boam’s genius lies in the way he focuses so heavily on the interplay between these two characters rather than the story’s sci-fi premise. They’re polar opposites: Tuck, the smooth-talking, hedonistic daredevil; Jack, the clean living milquetoast who cowers at his own reflection. In true buddy-movie fashion, each serves as a crutch for the other’s human failings, with Tuck teaching Jack how to be more spontaneous and daring, while Jack reigns in Tuck’s brusque, hard-drinking tendencies. The twist is that the characters don’t even share the screen for much of the story; they can communicate, but they occupy two very different spaces.

Dante’s genius, then, is in his casting. In order to work, Innerspace needs a pair of actors who can not only sell this farfetched premise, but also hold the screen while effectively talking to themselves for much of the movie. Martin Short, a young comedian then hot off Saturday Night Live and John Landis’ comedy The Three Amigos , is perfect as Jack, a frantic bundle of nerves who still manages to emerge as a disarmingly sweet-natured lead. Short’s turn is broad, physical, and studied with improv, but he manages to moderate his performance quite spectacularly from scene to scene; for all the comic excess, Jack’s still the underdog, and Short makes him easy to root for.

Similarly, Dennis Quaid makes light work of Tuck, given that the actor spends so much time trapped in the tight confines of his submersible pod. Tuck’s the archetypal square-jawed hero, but Quaid gives him just the right hint of regret and human frailty to make him into a fully-formed character. In her own way, Meg Ryan has to deal with certain confines of her own in what could be a thankless ‘girlfriend’ role; but thanks to Boam’s writing and Ryan’s sparky performance, Lydia Maxwell emerges instead as a Taser-wielding journalist who’s by far the most smart and composed character in the whole movie. 

Dante’s almost casual way of bringing a technically complex movie together shouldn’t be overlooked either. Thanks to Innerspace ‘ s weird premise, even a regular conversation is loaded with stumbling blocks that might have tripped up a less capable director: the constant cutting between two actors conversing across two entirely different locations; the deceptively complex moments which cut between Jack, hearing Tuck’s voice in his ear; Tuck, looking out at Jack’s view of the world through a monitor in his pod, and then back to Jack, carrying out Tuck’s instructions in the outside world. If that sounds confusing written down, imagine what it must’ve been like to plan, shoot, and edit.

Dante also manages to pull off some of the best action sequences in his long career, with one of the finest set-pieces being Jack’s high-speed ride down a freeway, one hand clinging to a truck, one foot on a red Ford Mustang. In fact, Innerspace is a rare example of an action and special effects-heavy comedy where the set-pieces complement the story rather than overwhelm it.

Those VFX sequences, created by Dennis Muren at ILM, deservedly won an Oscar in 1988–and it’s surprising how well they hold up almost 30 years later. Created using scale miniatures and rod puppets, the sequences inside Jack’s body are very different from those in Fantastic Voyage . Where the ’60s film imagined the human body as a psychedelic lava lamp, Innerspace is far more fleshy and claustrophobic. Tuck’s tiny metal pod picks its way through throbbing veins and arteries, buffeted by blood cells floating in the foggy plasma. One stand-out sequence involves a pitched battle between Tuck in his pod and a silent assassin named Igoe (the great Vernon Wells), who pilots an agile craft with snapping pincers. Ultimately, all the advanced technology in the world can’t save Igoe from Jack’s roiling stomach acid. 

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As you may have gathered, Innerspace doesn’t take itself too seriously. This is a film, after all, which casts Robert Picardo as a flamboyant Libyan tech dealer named The Cowboy. That has Invasion Of The Body Snatchers veteran Kevin McCarthy as a Silicon Valley bad guy named Victor Scrimshaw. That casts the wonderfully off-kilter Henry Gibson as Jack’s boss at the supermarket. (“You’ve got a big future in retail food marketing, and I’d hate to see you blow it now by going psycho on us.”)

Innerspace conspicuously lacks the peril and philosophical drama of a classic like The Incredible Shrinking Man (based on an equally classic book by Richard Matheson), and yet, for all its chaos and outright silliness, this is really a movie about a timid, ordinary guy who gets to throw off his workaday shackles and go on a big adventure. Innerspace spends a lot of time rolling around in its hero’s viscera, but it’s also a movie with a lot of heart. 

Ryan Lambie

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Where to watch

1987 Directed by Joe Dante

This summer take a trip you'll never forget.

Test pilot Tuck Pendleton volunteers to test a special vessel for a miniaturization experiment. Accidentally injected into a neurotic hypochondriac, Jack Putter, Tuck must convince Jack to find his ex-girlfriend, Lydia Maxwell, to help him extract Tuck and his ship and re-enlarge them before his oxygen runs out.

Dennis Quaid Martin Short Meg Ryan Kevin McCarthy Fiona Lewis Vernon Wells Robert Picardo Dick Miller Wendy Schaal Harold Sylvester William Schallert Henry Gibson John Hora Mark L. Taylor Orson Bean Kevin Hooks Kathleen Freeman Archie Hahn Kenneth Tobey Joe Flaherty Andrea Martin Jason Laskay Frank Miller Christine Avila Alexandra Borrie Jenny Gago Robert Gounley Grainger Hines Mike Garibaldi Show All… Richard McGonagle Terence McGovern Robert Neches Rance Howard Chuck Jones Laura Waterbury Kurt Braunreiter Brewster Sears Alan Blumenfeld Jeffrey Boam Sydne Squire Paul Barselou John Miranda Jordan Benjamin Roberto Ramirez Virginia Boyle Herb Mitchell Neil Ross Robert Gray Shawn Nelson Joe Dante

Director Director

Producers producers.

Chip Proser Michael Finnell

Writers Writers

Jeffrey Boam Chip Proser

Story Story

Chip Proser

Casting Casting

Mike Fenton Jane Feinberg Judy Taylor

Editor Editor

Cinematography cinematography.

Andrew Laszlo

Assistant Directors Asst. Directors

Pat Kehoe Carol Green

Executive Producers Exec. Producers

Frank Marshall Kathleen Kennedy Jon Peters Steven Spielberg Peter Guber

Lighting Lighting

James Plannette

Production Design Production Design

James H. Spencer

Art Direction Art Direction

William F. Matthews

Set Decoration Set Decoration

Richard C. Goddard Judy Cammer Gene Nollman

Special Effects Special Effects

Pete Kozachik

Visual Effects Visual Effects

Dennis Muren

Title Design Title Design

Wayne Fitzgerald David Oliver Pfeil

Stunts Stunts

Glenn Randall Jr. Mike Johnson Cindy Wills Simone Boisseree Steven Lambert Corey Michael Eubanks Al Wyatt Sr. Dick Warlock

Composer Composer

Jerry Goldsmith

Songs Songs

Rod Stewart

Sound Sound

Mark A. Mangini Warren Hamilton Jr. James Matheny Teresa Eckton Wayne Allwine John Pospisil Ken King Robert J. Litt Steve Maslow Elliot Tyson

Costume Design Costume Design

Rosanna Norton

Makeup Makeup

Stephen Abrums John Rizzo Rob Bottin

Hairstyling Hairstyling

Joy Zapata Barbara Lorenz

Amblin Entertainment Warner Bros. Pictures Guber/Peters Company

Releases by Date

01 jul 1987, 27 nov 1987, 04 dec 1987, 09 dec 1987, 10 dec 1987, 16 dec 1987, 18 dec 1987, 25 dec 1987, 01 jan 1988, 01 oct 2020, 25 sep 2002, 10 sep 2003, 24 apr 2002, releases by country.

• Theatrical L
• Theatrical TP
• Theatrical 12
• Theatrical PG

Netherlands

• Theatrical 6
• Physical 6 DVD

New Zealand

• Theatrical 15
• Physical 15 DVD release

120 mins   More at IMDb TMDb Report this page

Popular reviews

Review by Sean Fennessey ★★★½ 7

Martin Short has one pitch, but it’s a cutter.

Really wish we could get more coked-out studio execs greenlighting shit like this, BEETLEJUICE and WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT. A golden age for extremely weird nerds with good ideas for movies. All hail Joe Dante.

Review by Joe ★★★★½ 4

The Marvel Entertainment Group is currently flooding the marketplace with big scifi blockbusters that have quips, goofs, and maybe even some shenanigans, but most of the time no real comedy, no jokes, no gags (Shane Black excepted, naturally). Here we have plenty of all of the above, and with enough weird science-fiction concepts to power dozens of lesser entertainments. And yet I think the thing that will stick with me the longest is Meg Ryan smiling at Martin Short with two parts affection and one part apology at the end.

Review by theriverjordan ★★★½ 24

Joe Dante’s most awarded film is also his most revolting. Apparently, Truffaut was onto something when he said film lovers are sick people.  

Forget visiting aliens on another planet. There’s a different type of demented at hand when one is going inside the human body. 

That’s the premise behind Dante’s one and only Oscar-winning (for visual effects) film, “Innerspace.” The movie stars Dennis Quaid as a washed-up aviator who signs on as the pilot for a miniaturization machine, which - somehow - winds up inside the body of a Safeway cashier. 

What ensues is something like a body swap screwball comedy as scripted by a hysterical hypochondriac. 

The concepts and effects from Dante - batty as they are -…

Review by matt lynch ★★★★

There's a hero inside you.

Review by Justin Peterson ★★★½

(The Average Joe’s Movie Club Cast)

Remember when your favorite 90s cartoon did that episode about getting shrunk down enough to travel through the human body .... well Innerspace is the movie they all ripped off.

"You heard the man! My air supply's running out! If you don't help me, you're going to wind up with this miniaturized submersible pod floating around your insides with this teeny tiny human skeleton at the helm."

It's a buddy movie in the most unusual way, as a test pilot played by Dennis Quaid gets shrunken down and accidentally injected into a hypochondriac played by Martin Short. Many wacky antics ensue paired with some solid special effects that bring us inside the human body,…

Review by Joe Lynch ★★★★ 2

I dunno why but I just realized this is one of the most subversive, bonkers “summer films” possibly ever? Dante feels both unleashed and restrained and that’s not a bad thing.  That he hired his old DP to play a major role (“Dr. Ozzy”) is CRAZY.  The FX hold up SO well too.

Review by Josh Gillam ★★★½ 4

After an experiment goes wrong, hypochondriac Jack Putter (Martin Short) is accidentally injected with a miniaturised ship containing hotshot pilot Tuck Pendleton (Dennis Quaid) and the two must reluctantly work together to set things right, in Joe Dante’s sci-fi comedy co-starring Meg Ryan, Kevin McCarthy, Fiona Lewis and Robert Picardo.

It’s really inventive, full of the offbeat gags and cheerfully anarchic style Dante’s films excel at. There’s a a lot of different things going on, having a  Fantastic Voyage style adventure mixed with a buddy comedy mixed with a spy thriller, and yet they all somehow manage to fit together. 

A lot of this is down to Dante himself, who brings a Looney Tunes-style anything goes sensibility that allows the story…

Review by Rafael "Parker!!" Jovine ★★★★ 8

Action! – Three Auteurs: Dante’s Zany Inferno

After leaving Dante on his own after helping him produced the director’s most iconic work in its entire filmography in exchange of helping to launch a time travelling trilogy that, as mentioned on my review yesterday, beat Joe’s first full effort into science fiction - Spielberg and Dante are working back together to bring us a very interesting and, at times, wacky take on the whole sci-fi genre.

The film follows a tempered pilot who volunteers for an experiment where he will shrink himself to tiny size and injects himself into a bunny for research purposes. But when an evil group of individuals kill the doctor with the injection, before dying he accidentally…

Review by Chase ★★★★★ 10

Imagine going to the mall to book a flight to acapulco for a little rest and relaxation from the stress of life and all the fucking meaningless bullshit that comes with it and when you get to the elevator to leave some egghead in a lab coat stabs you in the butt with a syringe full of some purple looking liquid so you sort of brush it off like it's just another Tuesday and then next thing you know Dennis Quaid starts singing Sam Cooke in your ear wouldn't that be weird also you are Martin Short.

Sounds like the perfect movie, right? Right. (Even after ten million library vhs rewatches and a lifetime of knowledge accrued inbetween both individual…

Review by Will Sloan ★★★★

Hadn't seen this one since I was maybe eight or nine because I always categorized it in my head as a more impersonal Joe Dante movie. And maybe it is. But the thing about great artists is, there's no off switch to the genius button! This is just a fantastic time. Great high-concept premise, all the stars are at their best, lots of great set pieces and nifty practical effects, and it moves like lightning. Feels weird that this didn't make $120 million in 1987 dollars. It should be one of those movies.

Review by Poodini ★★★★★ 3

I remember watching this film at my babysitters house almost every day I was there for an entire summer one year. 34 years later I inherited her VHS collection after her death and I had to immediately rewatch Innerspace. To my delight this movie did more than just hold up. It blew away my adult mind away as much as it did when I was a kid. The casting was perfect. Dennis Quaid played a great rough and tumble pilot along side the aways lovely, aways adorable Meg Ryan. Martin Short performance was epic, he is so hysterically brilliant. The special effects are fantastic and the story is fun and exciting and has that 80’s charm that we all love. I highly recommend this one!

Review by Carlo V 2

The lack of character motivation in this is kinda disconnecting until things get going and you realize it's Dante serving us up another Grade A Live-Action Cartoon starring Martin Short as a neurotic Bugs Bunny. More fun and colorful and devil-may-care than big budget sci-fi will ever dare to be again.

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• a large anatomical map was projected, as Dr. Duval identified the location of Dr. Benes' deadly blood clot; he explained how it would be "impossible to get at without damage to the intervening tissue which would prove fatal to Benes"; the only way to reach the blood clot would be through the arterial system (via the carotid artery); the surgical crew-team would be placed inside a high-tech, bubble-domed, nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Proteus ; they (and the sub) would be reduced to "about the size of a microbe," and would then be injected into the arterial bloodstream of Benes' body; they would travel through the patient's arteries (in red) to the brain to dissolve the clot with a laser beam to relieve pressure on his brain; meanwhile, Benes would be placed in "deep hypothermia" to freeze him and slow down his bodily processes
• Dr. Michaels interjected that the only area of danger from turbulence inside a blood vessel was within the heart; after reaching the blood clot, Dr. Duval would dissolve the blood clot with a laser beam, and then the team would return by way of the venous system (in blue) - reaching the base of the neck to be removed with a hypodermic needle
• the entire mission would be monitored in the main operations room; a giant life-sized model of the interior circulatory system of the comatose patient would be viewed to monitor and precisely pinpoint the location of the submarine's 'fantastic voyage'; the nuclear-powered submarine's location was communicated wirelessly to observers in the military complex, and also monitored and tracked by navigator and circulatory specialist Dr. Michaels; the crew could be extracted by medical surgeons if an emergency developed; they needed to be wary of natural defensive attacks by white blood corpuscles or antibodies
• the team was led into the Sterilization Room and then to the Miniaturization Room, where the sleek submarine craft (fitted on top with a transparent plastic bubble dome) was positioned on a supportive cradle above a honeycomb-patterned Zero Module; in a small lead box, a minuscule particle of radioactive material would be used to atomically-power or fuel the sub after it was reduced in size; the crew was strapped into the sub before it was miniaturized
• a POV shot from inside the vessel looked out to illustrate its shrinkage; the microscopic sub was then carefully placed and submerged into a gigantic hypodermic needle filled with a saline solution; Dr. Michaels suffered an attack of claustrophobia and cried out: "I can't breathe. I've got to get out"; a few moments later, he recovered and explained that he had been buried alive for two days during an air raid in England
• in Phase 3, the hypodermic needle was also miniaturized; a count-down began from 60 minutes now that they were fully reduced in size; in Phase 4, the vessel - amidst the turbulent fluid and similar to a roller-coaster ride - was injected via the hypodermic needle into the arterial bloodstream (via the carotid artery) of the patient through a targeted spot on his neck - seen from various perspectives; the sub entered the body and was now surrounded by globular red blood cells (looking like multiple lava-lamps)
• as they beheld the colorful sights of the bloodstream (viewing corpuscles carrying oxygen) in front of them in an "ocean of life," Dr. Duval philosophically speculated: "The medieval philosophers were right: Man is the center of the universe. We stand in the middle of Infinity, between outer and inner space, and there's no limit to either"
• due to strong currents, a whirlpool, and a rare artery-vein connection, the sub was set off-course into the jugular vein instead of the carotid artery; they realized they had been detoured by the changed color of the cells surrounding the sub - now blue instead of red; they determined that there had been a "forced joining of a vein and an artery" (an arteriovenous fistula) that probably occurred when the patient was injured; they realized that they were now headed on a course toward the superior vena cava (SVC) in the direction of the heart, where they would be crushed by thumping heartbeats; 9 minutes had passed since miniaturization
• in order to survive the turbulence of the heart (and prevent the utter destruction of the Proteus ), they needed to induce cardiac arrest momentarily, for no more than 60 seconds, to allow the submarine to detour through it - but it risked killing the comatose patient; according to slide-rule calculations by Gen. Carter, at top speed, it would take the Proteus crew 57 seconds to navigate the route; during the passage, it was noted that the sounds of the heart were like a barrage of heavy artillery; Dr. Michaels described how the heart was a marvelous organ, capable of "four million beats" in a lifetime; Dr. Duval marveled gloomily: "And every beat separates a man from eternity"; the maneuver was successful - the crew progressed into the right atrium and out through the pulmonary semilunar valve into the pulmonary artery in 57 seconds, in time to revive Benes' heart
• on the way to the left lung, they entered a narrow capillary and had a close-up view of the oxygenation process (corpuscles turning from blue to bright red); Cora marveled: "We're the first ones to actually see it happen" - and Dr. Duval was in awe: "The living process" and labeled the process as one of the "miracles of the universe" - evidence of a Divine Creator and Intelligence ("the engineering of the cycle of a breath"); during a brief philosophical debate between intelligent design vs. evolution, Dr. Michaels downplayed the process as only an evolved or rational phenomenon: "I wouldn't call it a miracle. Just an interchange of gases - the end product of five hundred million years of evolution"
• the two were interrupted by a warning buzzer-alarm; the ship's pilot-commander Bill Owens notified the crew that the Proteus was losing air pressure in its floatation tanks; Grant found that the left-side tank had lost pressure and had mysteriously failed; it was possibly attributable to a short in the electrical valve circuit system; their progress would be impeded for the remainder of the mission
• Grant proposed that everyone on the team, except for Owens, exit the sub (wearing scuba-diving gear) and replenish the sub's oxygen supply; they would use a snorkel tube attached to the patient's lungs to extract and force oxygen into the sub's tanks
• while preparing for the trip outside the sub, at about 42 minutes of remaining time, Cora simultaneously discovered that the surgical laser rifle that was to be used to perform the blood-clot procedure was damaged - it was not strapped down to its mounting and had become dislodged; Dr. Duval suspiciously suggested it must have come loose during turbulence - evidence of a enemy saboteur in the group that had tampered with it
• during the repair mission of increasing the sub's air pressure, Dr. Michaels noted "rocks" or impurities embedded in the lung, due to carbon from smoke and specks of dust; after successfully completing the mission, Grant's safety tether line attached to the sub snapped (was it sabotage?), and he was sucked into the lungs and buffeted around; he was able to get back into the blood stream with the other crew and return to the ship; they then proceeded through the pleural cavity
• upon their return, Cora - during a closer examination - discovered that the laser gun had a broken trigger wire; Dr. Duval also found a smashed transistor - meaning they had no way to "fire" the laser's lamp; the solution was to repair the laser by cannibalizing parts (one transistor and a circuit wire) from Grant's wireless radio
• leaving the lung's pleural sac, the Proteus then entered the lymphatic system (and one of its lymph nodes), functioning in the body to drain off excessive fluid from the tissues; there, Grant and Dr. Michaels noticed that seaweed-like reticular fibers and antibodies appeared to ominously multiply; the reticular fibers could easily clog the sub's vents and water-jet intakes, causing overheating; Dr. Michaels warned: "Antibodies destroying bacteria or any other foreign invader that threatens the system"
• due to the slow progress of the sub, Dr. Duval proposed that the best way to now proceed was to change course and pass through Dr. Benes' left inner ear and then go by way of the endolymphatic duct; during the more hazardous passage, another 'scuba-diving' trip was required to clear and remove the fibrous material in order to halt the sub's overheating (resulting in a lack of propulsion)
• back in the control room, Gen. Carter reached for another cup of coffee and noticed an ant crawling around on spilt sugar specks; he resisted the temptation to squash the insect with his thumb, and Col. Reid remarked: "You'll wind up a Hindu. They respect all forms of life, however small"
• at about the 21 minute mark, during the successful vent-clearing mission outside the sub performed by Grant, Cora and Dr. Michaels, a destructive shock wave of vibrations was produced when one of the nurses in the operating room accidentally dropped a pair of surgical scissors - and the ship and all of its crew were violently jostled; in a memorable sequence, Cora was thrown about and into some cilia fibers due to the shock waves - causing damage and prompting antibodies to attack her body after regarding it as a foreign object; the skittish Dr. Michaels warned: "If the antibodies reach her, they'll attack as if she were bacteria"
• as she was brought back to the ship and through the reflooded airlock and into the ship, the antibodies continued to attack, and she screamed: ("They're tightening up - Please, I can't breathe"); the crew rescued her by groping her chest and throat and pulling the seaweed-like antibodies from her body as they crystallized
• with only 12 minutes remaining, from the middle ear, the sub passed through the endolymphatic duct and back into the vascular system before it entered into the brain and the location of the clot; as they entered the base of the brain, Dr. Duval again went into a reverie: "Yet all the suns that light the corridors of the universe shine dim, before the blazing of a single thought…" - and his thought was completed by Grant: "proclaiming in incandescent glory the myriad mind of man"; Dr. Michaels was more sarcastic: "Let me know when we pass the soul"; Duval answered him: "The finite mind cannot comprehend infinity, and the soul which comes from God is infinite"; they came upon a "dark spot" - recognized by Dr. Duval as the site of the injury that needed to be healed
• the crew determined that it had only a total of six minutes to complete their mission before de-miniaturization began (four minutes to perform the blood clot operation with the laser and two minutes to get to the removal point); the crew was under tremendous pressure outside the ship to succeed
• once the operation to relieve the pressure was completed in about four minutes by Dr. Duval (with Cora and Grant), the mission was meanwhile being sabotaged by twitchy on-board crew member Dr. Michaels who wanted to abort the mission; he knocked out pilot Owens with a blow to the head, took control of the sub, and attempted to crash it at full speed into the clot area of fragile brain cells (the central nerve) to kill the patient
• the remaining crew members were saved by heroic Commander Grant, who grabbed Duval's laser and shot at the high-tech sub to incapacitate it; after it was diverted and crashed into some dendrite tissue, puffy, jelly-fish like white corpuscles converged to envelope, consume, and digest both the submarine and Dr. Michaels who was physically pinned and trapped inside the bubble-dome
• before the Proteus was entirely injested, Grant returned to the Proteus to rescue Owens, and he watched as the saboteur Dr. Michaels was engulfed and suffocated by a gigantic white corpuscle (macrophage)
• the four surviving crew hurriedly swam along the optic nerve and were able to emerge safely from the tear duct at the corner of the patient's right eye to be rescued - they were viewed in a magnifier and lifted out of the teardrop on a microscope slide by Col. Reid, and placed on the Zero Module in the Miniaturization Room just before they reverted back to normal size
• [Note: One of the scientific flaws or plot holes of the film was the fact that the Proteus remained in Benes' body, as well as Dr. Michaels' digested corpse, the laser gun and hundreds of gallons of saline solution in the huge hypodermic cylinder used during the initial injection; at the end of the 60 minutes, there would have been enough left-over elements that had the potential to expand, and ultimately would have exploded and killed the patient.]

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Innerspace Review

01 Jan 1987

120 minutes

A rich, sugary pudding made up of familiar ingredients: the miniaturisation concept of Fantastic Voyage, the herky-jerky slapstick of All Of Me, the easy-grin of Dennis Quaid coupled with the kooky charm of Meg Ryan. It’s about as broad beamed a movie as you can get, but that’s not necessarily to its detriment. Once you get over its brazen marketability, there’s a bright pastiche of entertaining impulses going on here: light sci-fi, silly comedy, the pop and crackle of a mid-order thriller.

Away from the juicy special effects used to portray Martin Short’s inner workings (which, strangely, while likely far more accurate, lack the day-glo pop glitz of the Fantastic Voyage’s 60s variation of the theme) the film genuinely works as a raucous comedy. Joe Dante realising you could never truly take shrinking seriously as a sci-fi proposition, allows it to relax into a frothy comedy, and Martin Short, with his array of twitchy tic and hoots, splendidly keeps stupidity front and centre. The idea of Quaid’s ship connecting with its host’s cerebral cortex to allow communication, fuels a hilarious rush of possession gags. Both his fraught neurotic putz and Quaid’s washed up cowboy, ripe with the star’s infectious self-possession, are stereotypes on order, but the film’s whole lack of ambition has been turned to its own good.

Dante’s film doesn’t outstay its welcome, never overreaches its high concept nor forces us to dally in sentiment or any kind of genuine emotion. It’s flat-packed Hollywood, but once upright surely stays that way.

Enjoy Oscar-winning effects of yore in…

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Enjoy Oscar-winning effects of yore in “Fantastic Voyage”

“FANTASTIC VOYAGE”

Blu-ray widescreen, 1966, PG for mild violence and language

Best extra: A commentary with film historian Jeff Bond, who revives the lavish production, including its origins as a Victorian adventure – á la Jules Verne – from author Jay Lewis Bixby and producer Otto Klement

THE EARLY 1960s was a quiet time in the celluloid world of special effects. Wizard Ray Harryhausen (“Jason and the Argonauts,” “The 7th Voyage of Sinbad”) was the only effects guru getting consistent work using his traditional stop-motion filmmaking, as Oscar-winner Richard Edlund ( “Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi” ) visual effects supervisor, tells the story during the disc’s featurette.

By the middle of the decade, 20th Century Fox Studios decided to produce an ambitious sci-fi fantasy with a Cold War flare, requiring half of the $6.5 million budget just to create the special effects. Irish actor Stephen Boyd stars as a U.S. agent, who’s rescued a Czech scientist from behind the Iron Curtain – even though the story takes place in 1995. During their escape, enemy agents injure Dr. Benes on American soil. To save him from a deadly blood clot, experimental surgery is the only alternative.

First, the operation must be finished within 60 minutes. Second, a secret branch of the U.S. military, Combined Miniature Deterrent Forces (CMDF), is put into action using an untested device that can miniaturize anything including a 42-foot nuclear submarine and its medical crew to the size of a microbe. The submarine and crew can then be injected into the scientist’s carotid artery, and maneuver through the arterial system until it can reach the damaged area and use a laser to dissolve the clot. Any delays beyond an hour will be lethal, since the crew and submarine return to their original size.

The crew includes British actor Donald Pleasence, (Dr. Michaels, specialist in the circulatory system), William Redfield (Capt. Bill Owens, submarine commander), legendary character actor Arthur Kennedy (Dr. Duval, head surgeon), Raquel Welch (Cora Peterson, technical assistant and laser expert, who’s nearly booted off the mission because she’s a woman) and Boyd, a last minute recruit (communication officer). To boost suspense, we learn that a member of the squad is an evil saboteur.

Once inside the human body, “Fantastic Voyage” becomes a thought-provoking thrill ride of visual effects. Some may think it dated as its Oscar-winning effects are no match for today’s CGI spectacles. Still, it’s easy to be swept away by the movie’s simplicity and wonder. “Fantastic Voyage” has been a family sci-fi favorite since its TV premiere on the “ABC Sunday Night Movie of Week” in 1969. The 1980s fantasy comedy “Innerspace,” with Dennis Quaid, Martin Short and Meg Ryan, steal a few pages from the film as Quaid and his capsule get accidently injected into hypochondriac Short.

Much of the Oscar-winning visual effects were supervised and photographed by Fox’s Art Cruickshank, who used a huge tank filled with water and oil blends, such as minerals and Vaseline to congeal into blobs to create the corpuscles. In one scene, he swirled a supersized champagne glass inside to create the appearance of a flowing blood stream. Another Oscar was given for Art Direction; they converted several huge soundstages (120-feet long and 30-feet tall) by draping translucent materials to achieve the interior of the heart, lungs and tunnels of the arterial system. The actors wore diving suits painted white, and were wired to give the illusion of swimming through the rivers of blood.

Fox has done a knockout job with the HD picture; it’s loaded with rich colors and deep, deep blacks, and sprinkled with the right amount of film grain making “Fantastic” a pure cinematic watch.

Campy at times, this is still a pleasurable watch for the whole family.

? Bill Kelley III

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16 Best Dennis Quaid Movies Ranked

You know what they say about the apple not falling far from the tree? Well, that was certainly the case with Dennis Quaid, who forged his own path in Hollywood after his older brother, Randy Quaid, had found success as an actor (which is pretty easy to do when your first film is 1971 Oscar juggernaut "The Last Picture Show"). Today, Randy has slowed down acting to deal with a myriad of legal issues , but his younger brother's star keeps shining.

Like his brother, Quaid started acting in his early 20s, but it took him a bit longer to arrive, settling for TV movies and "Baretta" guest appearances before breaking through in the 1979 Oscar-winning teen drama "Breaking Away." With his all-American good looks and easy charm, Quaid was a born movie star, as he would prove time and again over the next four decades.

Despite his lengthy career, Quaid has yet to earn a single Oscar nomination . Not that he hasn't come close, most famously with his acclaimed work in Todd Haynes' 2002 drama "Far From Heaven," for which he received Golden Globe and SAG Awards bids, as well as victories at the Independent Spirits, Chicago, and New York Film Critics Circle Awards. He won an additional Indie Spirit prize in 1987 as Best Actor for "The Big Easy," as well as a SAG Ensemble award for Steven Soderbergh's 2000 film "Traffic." His uncanny portrayal of Bill Clinton in 2010's HBO movie "The Special Relationship" brought him additional Golden Globe, Emmy and SAG bids.

After all these years in the business, how many of Dennis Quaid's films can be considered classics? And how many of those classics have you seen? Here's a look back at Quaid's 16 best film, ranked in order from worst to best.

"D.O.A." (1988)

If you think you're having a bad day, talk to Professor Dexter Cornell (Quaid), because he's got you beat. As "D.O.A." opens, he staggers into a police station to report a murder. The victim: him!

Let's back up a bit: Someone has injected him with a radioactive poison that will kill him in 24 hours. He enlists the student (Meg Ryan) he spent the previous night with to help track down his murderer before it's too late. The only problem, is everyone is a suspect. 

Was it the distraught student (Robert Knepper) who committed suicide the day before? Or was it his estranged wife (Jane Kaczmarek)? It could even be the mysterious widow (Charlotte Rampling) with ties to the dead student.

A remake of a 1949 Edmund O'Brien thriller , D.O.A. is an unabashed love letter to film noir, and Quaid was the perfect everyman for this old fashioned endeavor. Ryan was his perfect match, putting a sweet-faced twist on the femme fatale. This was the second film the two made together, and it was on this set that they fell in love, getting married in 1991 (and then divorced in 2001).

"Suspect" (1987)

Quaid reunited with "Breaking Away" director Peter Yates for this crackerjack legal thriller that's as pulpy as they come. It's a cross between John Grisham and Agatha Christie, with a little social consciousness thrown in for good measure.

The premise: Cher plays Kathleen Riley, a public defender representing a homeless, deaf, mute Vietnam veteran (Liam Neeson) accused of killing a Justice Department clerk. Quaid is Eddie Sanger, a Capitol Hill lobbyist serving on the jury. Eddie and Kathleen team up to investigate the murder, and eventually they fall in love. Their partnership — which is unethical, to say the least — uncovers a vast D.C. conspiracy that runs deeper than the murder of one innocent file clerk.

The ending doesn't quite stick the landing ( as Roger Ebert pointed out in his lukewarm review ), but everything leading up to it is entertaining as hell. There's a real chemistry between Quaid and Cher that is riveting, even when the script by Oscar-winner Eric Roth ("Forrest Gump") takes some wild wrong turns.

"Enemy Mine" (1985)

Having dramatized the early days of the space race in "The Right Stuff," it seems only fitting that Quaid would next try his hand at the space wars. Unfortunately, "Enemy Mine" was no "Star Wars," failing to recoup its massive budget at the box office. It's since gained a cult following, however, that enjoys it for being a uniquely interpersonal sci-fi flick.

Set in the late 21st century, it concerns a galactic battle between humans and a race of reptilian aliens known as Dracs. Pilot Willis E. Davidge (Quaid) is a rabid anti-Dracser who gets stranded on a remote planet after a spacecraft dogfight with the alien Jeriba Shigan (Louis Gossett Jr., in heavy makeup). As the years pass, the two learn to set their differences aside and work together to survive.

Credit to director Wolfgang Petersen for trying to make an antiwar drama in the guise of a sci-fi blockbuster. More credit to Quaid and Gossett Jr for carrying the weight of the drama on their shoulders (and somehow doing it with a straight face).

"Great Balls of Fire!" (1989)

If you're looking for an accurate biopic of rock 'n' roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis, look elsewhere. "Great Balls of Fire" omits or glosses over the more controversial aspects of the singer's past , romanticizing a life that was filled with bad decisions. But it's worth seeing for Quaid, who undoubtedly took the role in a play for Oscar glory.

Directed by Quaid's "The Big Easy" helmer Jim McBride, it follows the early years of Lewis's career, charting his meteoric rise to fame as a rock pianist. He comes crashing back down to Earth, however, when he marries his 13-year-old cousin, Myra Gale Brown (Winona Ryder). As he attempts to pick up the pieces of his shattered life, he clashes with his cousin, Pentecostal minister Jimmy Swaggert (yes, that Jimmy Swaggert), played by Alec Baldwin.

Quaid makes up for the film's narrative shortcomings with his performance, which captures the goofy arrogance and dynamic stage presence that made Lewis a star. It's too bad the script wasn't more concerned with telling the true story of its complicated subject, since the actor portraying him was more than capable of pulling it off.

"Frequency" (2000)

The less you think about the plot of "Frequency," the better. Sure, all the time travel logic doesn't stand up to scrutiny, but as Roger Ebert said in his three-and-a-half star review , "the central idea," that a father and son could communicate across different timelines despite the father being dead, "is strong and carries us along."

In 1969, firefighter Frank Sullivan (Quaid) dies in a warehouse inferno. In 1999, his police officer son, John (Jim Caviezel), discovers he can communicate with his dead dad by way of a ham radio. This comes in handy as the two try not only to save the elder Sullivan's life, but catch a serial killer known as the "Nightingale."

So yeah, this movie is more than a little ridiculous. But you'd require a heart of stone to not be moved by Quaid chatting with his son from beyond the grave. It's that dynamic that keeps us engaged, even when the plot holes start popping up, as they almost always do when a film starts messing with time.

"Innerspace" (1987)

A sort of " Fantastic Voyage " with an '80s twist, Joe Dante's "Innerspace" was an absolute phenomenon when it hit theaters in 1987, pairing with "Three Amigos!" to make Martin Short a household name, as well as making Quaid and Ryan two of the hottest actors in Hollywood.  

A freewheeling crowd-pleaser, "Innerspace" still holds up, because of the way it manages to weave together several genres and special effects without spinning wildly out of control. That's thanks in large part to the performances at the center, which keep the story grounded even as it threatens to go off the rails.

Quaid plays Lt. Tuck Pendelton, a test pilot who signs up for a unique experiment: He'll be placed inside a submersible capsule, shrunken to microscopic size, and injected into a lab rabbit for medical study. But things go horribly wrong when he's instead injected into hypochondriac store clerk Jack Putter (Short). It's up to Jack to get Tuck out of his body and back to normal size before it's too late.

Meg Ryan plays Tuck's estranged girlfriend, Lydia Maxwell, a reporter who catches Jack's eye while Tuck is still in his body. Also of special note: the film won an Academy Award for its impressive special effects , making it the only Joe Dante movie to win an Oscar of any kind.

"The Long Riders" (1980)

The legend of Jesse James has been dramatized in more movies than Batman's origin story, with seemingly every generation getting their chance to saddle up for a new retelling. "The Long Riders" is Walter Hill's crack at it, and the twist he wanted was to cast real-life brothers to play the siblings in the film. So of course, he had to get the Quaids, who were red-hot at the time. But he didn't stop there.

Stacey Keach and James Keach are the James brothers, Frank and Jesse, who form a gang of bank robbers in the post-Civil War west. They enlist the Youngers — Cole (David Carradine), Jim (Keith Carradine), and Bob (Robert Carradine) — as well as the Millers — Ed (Dennis Quaid) and Clell (Randy Quaid) — to join their rowdy group, whose exploits attract the attentions of the Pinkerton Detective Agency. The recruitment of the Ford brothers — Charley (Christopher Guest) and Robert (Nicholas Guest) — spells their doom.

Inspired casting aside, this is a pretty straight-forward western, made with meticulous skill by Hill. It's also a great early role for Quaid, who sows the early seeds of destruction for the gang when he kills a bank clerk during a robbery.

"In Good Company" (2004)

Coming off "Far From Heaven," Dennis Quaid's career was suddenly hotter than it had been in over a decade. He was determined to strike while the iron was hot.

Quaid was all over movie screens in 2004 , appearing in "The Alamo," "The Day After Tomorrow," the "Flight of the Phoenix" remake and "In Good Company." Some worked, some didn't, but "Company" is generally considered the best of the bunch (although "Day After Tomorrow" has some serious entertainment value), with the actor settling comfortably into the cinematic dad-phase of his career.

Written and directed by Paul Weitz, it centers on a middle-aged advertising executive (Quaid) who suddenly finds himself with a new boss (Topher Grace) who's half his age after his magazine is bought by a major corporation. Things get even weirder when he discovers that the new guy is dating his daughter (Scarlett Johansson). Talk about a mid-life crisis!

Originally titled "Synergy," the film touches upon issues of corporate greed and downsizing that were hot-button issues of the day in a bright, sunny way, with the ruthlessness softened thanks to the domestic storyline. Quaid is convincing as ever as both a father who only wants the best for his daughter, and a career company man beginning to question what it was all about.

"The Rookie" (2002)

Everybody loves a good underdog story, and audiences lapped up this feel-good sports movie about an unlikely major leaguer. It tells the true story of Jim Morris (Quaid), a Texas high school teacher who gave up his dreams of becoming a professional baseball player after a shoulder injury.

He scratches that itch by coaching the school's team, which is mediocre at best. As it turns out, Jimmy still has his fastball, and his team makes him an offer he can't refuse: If they win the state championship, he has to try out for the majors again. Jimmy agrees, despite being 35 years old (Quaid was actually 48 when the film was released). His wife (Rachel Griffiths) supports him no matter what, while his father (Brian Cox) is perpetually disapproving.

Directed by John Lee Hancock, "The Rookie" is a lived-in, beautifully-shot film, as tried and true as a worn-out catcher's mitt. Although you know exactly where it's going (it's a Disney sports film along the lines of "Miracle" and "Invincible"), you can't help but be charmed by it, thanks in large part to Quaid's endearing performance. He also looks like he's got a pretty mean fastball.

"Postcards from the Edge" (1990)

Although Meryl Streep and Shirley MacLaine are the main attraction in this Mike Nichols Hollywood satire, Quaid still manages to shine as the love interest. That's no small feat when you're acting opposite Meryl friggin' Streep.

A thinly veiled tell-all about Carrie Fisher's struggles with addiction, it stars Streep as a down-on-her-luck actress forced to move back in with her mother (MacLaine doing a Debbie Reynolds impersonation) after her latest stint in rehab. She's also trying to get her career back on track with a new movie, and quickly falls in love with the film's producer (Quaid).

But things turn sour when she realizes her new boyfriend is sleeping with the young ingenue (Annette Bening) starring opposite her. This leads to a hilarious scene where Streep, still in costume as a police officer, confronts Quaid at his home. It's also heartbreaking, since it's just another instance of someone taking her for granted, and Quaid is able to play both sides of that coin with expert skill.

"The Parent Trap" (1998)

The rare remake that stands up alongside the original (and in many ways improves upon it), "The Parent Trap" was one of Quaid's earliest forays into family entertainment, and he's a natural fit.

The first film directed by Nancy Meyers, it's an update of the 1961 Disney classic about a pair of identical twins separated at birth and reunited for mischief. Lindsay Lohan plays the twins, Annie and Hallie, who were each raised by one of their biological parents — an American winery owner (Quaid) and a British wedding gown designer (Natasha Richardson). When they meet for the first time at summer camp, they devise a plan to get their mom and dad back together.

There's a good amount of pathos added to the hijinks that elevates this above the usual kids movie, and that's due in large part to Quaid's performance. He's genuinely likable as a good guy who's doomed to marry the wrong woman (Elaine Hendrix) unless his daughters can save the day. This being a Nancy Meyers movie, you can expect things to work out in the end — and in some beautiful kitchens, at that.

"Traffic" (2000)

Although he's just one piece of the puzzle, Quaid still manages to stand out in the massive ensemble of "Traffic ." Steven Soderbergh's epic docudrama still packs a punch more than twenty years later, thanks to its visceral filmmaking and deeply-realized performances.

Adapted from the British limited series  " Traffik ," it examines the war on drugs through multiple perspectives: A newly appointed US drug czar (Michael Douglas) dealing with his teenage daughter's (Erika Christensen) crack addiction; a Mexican police officer (Benicio Del Toro) trying to navigate the thorny relationships between cops and the cartel; a pair of DEA agents (Don Cheadle and Luis Guzman) protecting an informant (Miguel Ferrer); and a wealthy housewife (Catherine Zeta-Jones) ordering a hit on that informant before he can testify against her kingpin husband. Quaid plays Zeta-Jones's lawyer, whose loyalty is — of course — not to be trusted.

The results are a devastating mosaic detailing the true price of the American drug war. Quaid shared the SAG Award for Best Ensemble for the film, which also won Oscars for Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Del Toro), Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Film Editing (the only prize it lost, oddly enough, was Best Picture).

"Breaking Away" (1979)

Quaid's big breakthrough came with this Oscar-winning crowd pleaser that Roger Ebert called "a movie to embrace." Audiences did indeed embrace this coming-of-age drama, turning its cast of newcomers into overnight stars.

Directed by Peter Yates, it centers on a group of working class kids from Bloomington, Indiana, struggling with life after high school. The college kids derogatorily refer to them as "cutters," derived from the stonecutters who worked in the local quarries. Dave (Dennis Christopher) dreams of joining the Italian bicycling team, much to the consternation of his father (Paul Dooley). He forms a team with his friends, Mike (Quaid), Moocher (Jackie Earle Haley), and Cyril (Daniel Stern), to compete in the Little 500 at Indiana University, where they show up those snooty out-of-towners.

It was clear from the beginning Quaid had the makings of a major star, shining through even in this small role. "Breaking Away" was a major commercial success, winning the Oscar for Steve Tesich's original screenplay and earning four additional nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director.

"The Right Stuff" (1983)

Although it failed to launch at the box office, Philip Kaufman's epic astronaut drama has only grown in reputation since it was released in 1983. It was also a major turning point for Quaid, who rode the critical plaudits for his performance to increasingly bigger roles.

Adapted from Tom Wolfe's bestselling nonfiction book, it's a three-and-a-half hour recounting of the early days of America's space program. As the Russians launch a satellite into orbit, the US races to launch a human. They quickly form the Mercury 7 , a group of renegade military pilots who became the country's first astronauts: Scott Carpenter (Charles Frank), Gordon Cooper (Quaid), John Glenn (Ed Harris), Gus Grissom (Fred Ward), Wally Schirra (Lance Henriksen), Alan Shepard (Scott Glenn), and Deke Slayton (Scott Paulson).

Despite bombing in theaters, the film did earn eight Oscar nomination s, including Best Picture, and won four technical trophies (for film editing, score, sound mixing, and sound editing). Quaid, meanwhile, continued to prove he had the right stuff as a movie star. He's undeniably charming as Cooper, whose daredevil antics keep his wife Trudy (Pamela Reed) awake at night.

"The Big Easy" (1987)

Jim McBride's sexy, sweaty neo-noir plays to Quaid's strengths as a leading man while also adding surprising new shades to his persona. That's because the character he plays here is so rich and complex: A cop trying to excuse his own corruption, desperately trying to do the right thing when it counts.

"The Big Easy" stars Quaid as Remy McSwain, a New Orleans homicide detective investigating the murder of a local mob boss, which just might've been carried out by his fellow police officers. But Remy has his own problems with unscrupulous behavior, which are called out by state district attorney Anne Osborne (Ellen Barkin). Though he tries to excuse it as part of working within the system, he knows she's right. As the two dive deeper and deeper into the muck of the investigation, they fall deeper and deeper in love.

The chemistry between Quaid and Barkin is so palpable you can slice it with a knife. There's also a surprising amount of tenderness in their relationship that makes it even steamier. Quaid won the Independent Spirit Award as Best Actor for the film, which also earned bids for Best Picture and Best Director from the organization (but where the heck was that Oscar nomination?!).

"Far From Heaven" (2002)

"Far From Heaven" brought Quaid closer to awards glory than he'd ever come before or since, and it's little wonder why. It's a career-best performance from an actor who is too often taken for granted. By asking him to play into the vulnerability lurking beneath his confident persona, writer-director Todd Haynes taps into his talent in a way that lights up the screen.

A faithful recreation of Douglas Sirk melodramas like "All That Heaven Allows," it centers on Cathy Whitaker (Julianne Moore), a 1950s suburban housewife whose life is upended when she sees her husband Frank (Quaid) kissing another man. As Frank tries to cure himself of his "problems," she finds herself falling in love with their black gardener, Raymond (Dennis Haysbert). Cathy's narrow worldview is slowly opened up, even as the neighbors whisper behind her back. Yet, societal norms keep these three from living their true lives.

Quaid is devastating as a man desperate to hide his true self at the risk of being shunned. An Academy Award nomination seemed certain after Best Supporting Actor victories at the Independent Spirits, Chicago Film Critics, and New York Film Critics Circle, plus nominations at the Golden Globes and SAG Awards. Yet Oscar voters overlooked him, and it's truly a shame: His performance is so good, you could've almost seen him winning the gold for it.

Dennis Quaid , Martin Short, Meg Ryan , Vernon Wells

Robert Picardo , Kevin McCarthy , Fiona Lewis , Wendy Schaal , Harold Sylvester , William Schallert, Henry Gibson , John Hora, Mark L. Taylor, Orson Bean, Kevin Hooks Update Cast

Look for Joe Dante, Chuck Jones making a cameo appearance!

Lieutenant 'Tuck' Pendleton (Dennis Quaid) and Jack Putter (Martin Short) couldn't be more different. Pendleton is a high-flying ladies man, whose job as a test pilot for the military gives him the pick of the girls, much to the disgust of his long-time girlfriend Lydia (Meg Ryan), who dumps him early on in the movie. Putter is a hypochondriac, who works in the local convenience store and whose attempts with girls start and finish (miserably) with one of the check-out girls at the store. Pendleton is involved in a secret experiment to shrink objects (remember 'The Fantastic Voyage' from the sixties?) but just at the moment of success, the lab is stormed by the bad guys, who want to get hold of the technology for themselves. In the ensuing chase, Pendleton is accidentaly injected into Jack Putter, instead of the planned lab rabbit. Assessing the situation, Pendleton navigates his shrunken craft to Jack's brain, connecting to his ear and his optic nerve, thus giving him access to the outside world. Jack, of course, immediately believes he is possessed! Slowly though, he realises what's up and he and Pendleton begin to formulate a plan to get him out. To do this, they need Lydia's help as a journalist and they need to get information on the bad guys: Victor Scrimshaw (Kevin McCarthy), Dr Margaret Kanker (Fiona Lewis) and the dreaded Mr Iago (Vernon Wells). They are arranging to sell the technology to a mysterious buyer called The Cowboy (an early role for Star Trek Voyager's Robert Picardo), so the team of three manage to sedate him, take his place, and meet up with the baddies. They are rumbled, captured and need to escape, foil the plot and get Pendleton out but they are running out of time, because soon he will run out of oxygen and this will kill both himself and Jack as an eventual result. The difficulties here are that they need to finally convince Lydia of the real situation and more importantly, Jack is falling for Lydia in a big way... Will they get back to the lab in time?

This movie brings together two other plots into one 90-minute fiesta - The Fantastic Voyage and All Of Me (Steve Martin and Lily Tomlin). Considering the two main characters played by Quaid and Short filmed all of their scenes throughout almost the entire movie separately, the dialogue works very well and the interplay between them both is more than enough to hold the film together. Meg Ryan adds to this, playing Lydia in much the same way as her role as Albert Einstein's niece in IQ, with a great mix of intelligence and naivety. And Mr Iago is wonderfully played by Vernon Wells - in fact the entire supporting cast, even down to the smallest roles in the movie, blend together very well indeed.

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Director: Joe Dante Writer: Chip Proser, Jeffrey Boam , Chip Proser Producers: Michael Finnell , Peter Guber , Kathleen Kennedy , Frank Marshall , Jon Peters , Chip Proser, Steven Spielberg Locations Manager: Steph Benseman

Release Date: 01 Jul 1987 MPAA Rating: PG Studio: Warner Brothers Production: Amblin Entertainment, Guber-Peters Company, Warner Bros. Pictures Genre: Sci-Fi

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All the basic elements of “Strange World,” Disney’s latest sci-fi/fantasy flick, are familiar. There’s a family of adventurers, a dire mission to save the planet from a mysterious ecological crisis, an absent father, three generations of insecure men, and a bunch of under-developed female supporting characters whose placeholder personalities range from strong to loving. It’s “ Avatar ” meets “Fantastic Voyage,” and it also looks really good on a big screen thanks to Disney’s many, many talented animators. With their help, “Strange World” breezes through a checklist of formulaic plot points and canned emotional revelations with enough style and sensitivity to make it work. 

“Strange World” is the latest collaboration of co-directors Don Hall and Qui Nguyen , who previously worked on “ Raya and the Last Dragon ” with Hall’s co-directors, Paul Briggs and Carlos López Estrada. It’s always hard to know how to praise collaborations of this scale and nature, but Nguyen’s solo writing byline on “Strange World” stands out, and so does his co-director credit (this is his debut feature). Hall’s no slouch either; his name, on recent Disney successes like “ Moana ,” “ Big Hero 6 ,” and “ Winnie the Pooh ,” also seems noteworthy. 

After “Raya and the Last Dragon,” “Strange World” feels like a lower-stakes, and therefore more comfortable, union of Hall and Nguyen’s talents. These guys have clearly seen and maybe even studied the Disney cartoons that defined the company’s ‘90s animation renaissance. (Seriously, have you seen “Big Hero 6”?). So it’s nice to see that, with “Strange World,” they’ve found a project that brings out the best of their combined talents and doesn’t just feel like it was focus-grouped to death.

“Strange World” zips along with an easy pace that makes up for its lack of dramatic tension. Stubborn explorer Jaeger Clade ( Dennis Quaid ) abandons his insecure son, Searcher Clade ( Jake Gyllenhaal ). Searcher wants his dad to follow his lead for once, and, in this case, pay attention to a mysterious green plant that he calls Pando, but Jaeger dismisses both Searcher and Pando. Twenty-five years pass in the blink of an intertitle after Searcher leaves his fellow adventurers to find the outer limits of Avalonia, the Clades’ isolated mountain valley home. In that time, Searcher has become Avalonia’s hero, since they’ve adopted Pando as the town’s main power supply. Searcher’s a Pando farmer now and his world mainly revolves around his crops and his family: his loving aviator wife Meridian ( Gabrielle Union ), his easily-embarrassed teenage son Ethan ( Jaboukie Young-White ), and Legend, their three-legged dog.

When the Pando crops are not yielding the electrical charge that they used to, Callisto ( Lucy Liu ), one of Jaeger’s old explorer buddies, asks a reluctant Searcher to help her find out. And he does, with his wife and son in tow. Together, they descend into a big hole in the ground, where they discover a vibrant, Pandora-like world filled with various creatures, plants, and other sentient fauna that look like they were traced from old biology textbook illustrations. They also quickly stumble upon Jaeger, who now lives among the amoeba forests and acid rivers. He and Searcher play catch up while Searcher chases after Ethan, who’s always a few steps ahead.

As you might expect, the Clade men do not see eye-to-eye, nor do they work well together as a team. Their creators thankfully avoid several clichéd power dynamics, though they tiptoe up to a few of them along the way, like when Jaeger asks Ethan about his love life and mercifully doesn’t bat an eye when he discovers that Ethan likes a boy named Diazo. Searcher’s parents already know and accept their kid for who he is, and their affectionate concerns always err on the right side of heavily telegraphed sentimentality. Their dialogue appears to have been polished and rewritten without also being sandblasted down to bland talking points.

The same is true of the animation and general direction of “Strange World,” which flies from one action and chase scene to the next. Quaid and Gyllenhaal stand out among the strong ensemble voice cast, but the animators make what could have been a paint-by-numbers genre exercise look good enough to gawk at. They commit to a sort of lavishly rendered paperback novel/matte painting surrealism and pack the camera’s frame with flocks of magenta pterodactyls, forests of pastel coral, and oceans of multi-colored tentacle grass.

There’s something to be said for a kid-friendly cartoon whose main appeal isn’t its creators’ out-of-the-box thinking, but rather their crew’s thoughtful execution of otherwise shopworn ideas. That doesn’t seem to happen often enough with Disney’s recent animated movies, which help make “Strange World” feel like an exceptional triumph of execution over ingenuity. You could do a lot worse.

Only in theaters today, November 23rd.

Simon Abrams

Simon Abrams is a native New Yorker and freelance film critic whose work has been featured in  The New York Times ,  Vanity Fair ,  The Village Voice,  and elsewhere.

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Strange World (2022)

Rated PG for action/peril and some thematic elements.

102 minutes

Jake Gyllenhaal as Searcher Clade (voice)

Dennis Quaid as Jaeger Clade (voice)

Jaboukie Young-White as Ethan Clade (voice)

Gabrielle Union as Meridian Clade (voice)

Lucy Liu as Callisto Mal (voice)

Alan Tudyk as Duffle (voice)

Jonathan Melo as Diazo (voice)

Director (co-director)

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Joe Dante Has A Theory On Why Innerspace Ended Up As A Box Office Flop

Try and find anyone who doesn't like Joe Dante's science fiction comedy "Innerspace." Whether you're a child of the '80s, you discovered the tiny adventures of Dennis Quaid and Martin Short on DVD and home video, or happened to catch it at a special theatrical screening, chances are you love this movie. The inventive story follows marine Lt. Tuck Pendleton (Quaid), an experimental test pilot who is accidentally injected into a civilian named Jack Putter (Short) after being scientifically miniaturized. Unfortunately, you probably did not see "Innerspace" when it first came out in theaters in July of 1987. That's a primetime summer blockbuster slot and the powers that be genuinely thought the combination of Dante's direction and state-of-the-art effects was going to result in a smash hit for Warner Brothers. Unfortunately, no one showed up to see it when it was originally released. 

At its Something Old, Something New Festival at the New Beverly Cinema in 2012, UCLA's Association of Movie Archivists (AMIA) student chapter showed a double feature with "The Incredible Shrinking Man" and "Innerspace" with director Joe Dante in attendance. Dante shared his experience making the film, saying that "Innerspace" got "one of the best previews" ever in test screenings which caused the studio executives to start "high-fiving each other" thinking they had a massive hit on their hands. In fact, they were so convinced that "they didn't think it needed any advertising as a result."

That's not a very good marketing strategy. In theory, wouldn't you have an even bigger summer hit if, you know, moviegoers actually knew the movie existed? The director of "Gremlins" should have gotten more respect!

We need to talk about Martin Short

There's a painful truth that needs to be addressed: Hollywood has never known what to do with Martin Short. The Canadian comedian first gained acclaim in the Great White North with his breakout performances on "SCTV," Canada's answer to "Saturday Night Live." In a stroke of luck, he wound up opposite Steve Martin and Chevy Chase in "¡Three Amigos!," a beloved comedy now that severely underperformed at the box office on release, just like his next film, "Innerspace."

The character of Jack Putter was actually a perfect fit for Short, and the chemistry he had with Quaid was undeniable, even if they only appeared onscreen together at the very end. Screenwriter Jeffrey Boam ("Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade") came aboard and Dante (via Ultimate Rabbit 's report) described his rewrite as "Dean Martin being shrunk and then put into Jerry Lewis." That's a perfect description and the physical comedy that Short pulls off in "Innerspace" feels like he's channeling Jerry Lewis at times. Quaid balances that manic energy with a calm and collected performance that also showcases his explosive side when things get tense as he navigates his way through Short's body.

Dante recalled one lunch meeting in particular where Warner Bros. executives referred to Short as "not very attractive" and that maybe he should be recast...with a Dennis Quaid type. Dante snapped back, asking "Did you even read the script?" That lack of studio support may have caused some insecurity with Short, who Dante said "liked doing many takes" and "did a lot of improvisation" throughout the entire production. 

According to Dante,   Short even got on his knees once and did an impression of Katherine Hepburn pleading, "No Joe! Please let me do just one more!"

Audiences rejected the film's sci-fi B-movie roots

When the New Beverly showed "Innerspace" at the Something Old, Something New Festival and coupled the film with "The Incredible Shrinking Man," they knew exactly what they were doing. Dante's adventurous mini-epic took inspiration from the inventive films of the 1950s like "Fantastic Voyage" which pushed the imagination of filmmakers and audiences forward, introducing new possibilities to what a night at the movies could be. 

Dante and the entire "Innerspace" cast and crew brought that sense of adventure and spectacle to a new era. Audiences would have been ready for it, too. Instead, the movie ended up underperforming at the box office in the summer of 1987. Dan Aykroyd's "Dragnet," another '50s throwback, won the top spot that weekend, weirdly. Dante told the audience at New Beverly back in August of 2012 how Warner Bros. just did not know how to promote the film. In fact, the original poster failed to include any of the actors at all. Maybe they assumed the "Steven Spielberg presents" before the title was all the film needed to succeed. "Innerspace" was an Amblin Entertainment production, after all. 

Dante recalled that the L.A. Times review of the film said that it "crashed and burned" at the theater. It did come in third place, however, and in future promotions on home video, Dennis Quaid, Martin Short, and Meg Ryan (who went on to marry Quaid) were prominently featured on the box cover.  

Oscar gold and Roger Ebert's seal of approval

The high-concept ideas featured in the 1950s B-movies of old were largely conceived based on advancements in visual effects. Being able to project an actor onto any background revolutionized sci-fi storytelling. Whether it was used to convey a feeling of vastness and grandeur in "Fantastic Voyage" or to depict the horrors of suddenly becoming microscopic in "The Incredible Shrinking Man," the effects drove the drama for the first time. When Scott Carey (Grant Williams) fights off a massive spider with a giant pencil in "Shrinking Man," audiences had never seen anything like it. 

Dante tapped into that kind of enhanced fantasy and wonderment that carried over into Joe Johnston's "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" and modern Marvel films like " Ant-Man ." In what must have been a triumphant end to the trials and tribulations of working on "Innerspace," the film went on to win the Oscar for Best Visual Effects. Even Roger Ebert was tricked by the incredible images onscreen and thought the red blood cells featured in the finished film were actually real. According to the breakdown of the New Beverly event, Dante said that he had the distinct pleasure of telling one of the nation's top movie critics that it was all just a bit of technical wizardry. 

It's comforting to know that "Innerspace" has garnered a larger cult following and Joe Dante has continued to champion the film over the years. Dante, himself, has become a much more respected filmmaker and is now being recognized as the true visionary he is. In all likelihood, the film also introduced a new generation of kids to the legendary soul singer Sam Cooke. His songs "Cupid" and "Twistin' the Night Away" propel the movie into the stratosphere. 

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Fantastic Voyage

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Product Description

Academy Award-winning special effects-and Raquel Welch in a wet suit-highlight this exciting sci-fi adventure that follows an expedition through the human body. The submarine Proteus and it's crew are miniaturized and injected into an injured scientist in an effort to remove a blood clot from his brain. With only one hour before they return to normal size, the team finds their mission jeopardized by a saboteur. Stephen Boyd, Edmond O'Brien, Donald Pleasence also star. 100 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English. Region Free

Product details

• Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.54 x 7.51 x 5.29 inches; 3.04 ounces
• Director ‏ : ‎ Richard Fleischer
• Media Format ‏ : ‎ NTSC, Import
• Release date ‏ : ‎ November 5, 2021
• Actors ‏ : ‎ Stephen Boyd, Arthur O'Connell, Donald Pleasence, Edmond O'Brien, William Redfield
• Producers ‏ : ‎ Billy Pollina, Saul David
• Studio ‏ : ‎ Fox
• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09TPX1WTZ
• Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
• #42,671 in DVD

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